Five Players Who Represented Both Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United

Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United face off in the Champions League this evening.

This match marks the final game of the 2025-26 league phase, with a spot in the last 16 on the line. As the teams prepare to play at the Parc des Princes, we highlight five notable players who have played for both clubs.

Sylvain Distin

Sylvain Distin began his career in amateur football in France before moving to Ligue 1, where he made 45 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain. He caught the attention of Premier League clubs, leading to Newcastle signing him on loan during the 2001-02 season. Distin played 35 matches for the Magpies that season, helping the team finish fourth and secure Champions League qualification.

Despite his regular appearances, Newcastle did not sign him permanently, which became a missed opportunity as he went on to have a successful career in the Premier League, amassing 469 appearances with clubs like Manchester City, Portsmouth, Everton, and Bournemouth. He won the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008 and received Player of the Season awards at both City and Everton.

Laurent Robert

Newcastle United acquired Laurent Robert from Paris Saint-Germain for £10 million in 2001, making it one of the largest transfers in the club’s history at that time. Robert had a successful spell in Paris, scoring 34 goals in 85 matches and contributing to France’s success in the 2001 Confederations Cup.

The winger quickly became a fan favorite at St James’ Park, known for his stunning free-kicks, including a memorable goal in a 4–3 win against Manchester United. During his debut season, he scored five free-kicks, earning a reputation as a set-piece expert. Overall, he made 181 appearances for Newcastle before leaving for Portsmouth after a conflict with the club.

Hatem Ben Arfa

Hatem Ben Arfa was seen as a significant signing for Newcastle in 2010 when he joined on loan from Marseille. The winger, known for his skill, had moments of brilliance but didn’t fully realize his potential in England. His standout goals against Blackburn and Bolton are among the highlights for the club.

After a period of uncertainty, Ben Arfa went on loan to Hull and later returned to France with Nice. In 2016, he signed with PSG, achieving a Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France double in his first season, although he struggled for consistent playing time.

Yohan Cabaye

Newcastle secured Yohan Cabaye from Lille after he played a significant role in Lille’s Ligue 1 title win in the 2010-11 season. Cabaye quickly became a key player for Newcastle, helping the team finish fifth in his first season, which led to Europa League qualification.

His outstanding performances attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain, who signed him for £19 million in January 2014.

Georginio Wijnaldum

Georginio Wijnaldum’s tenure at both Newcastle and PSG was relatively short. Signed from PSV Eindhoven, he made an immediate impact in the Premier League and was Newcastle’s top scorer in the 2015-16 season with 11 goals. However, relegation led him to move away from the club.

He joined Liverpool, where he played a significant role in their successes, contributing to the 2019 Champions League and 2020 Premier League titles. After five seasons, Wijnaldum made a free transfer to PSG and won Ligue 1 in 2021-22 but left for AS Roma on loan the following season in search of more game time.